It was given to the Croydon branch of the Primrose League. The League supported the Conservative party and the royal family.It's bell celebrated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Vera Paxton

Vera remembers her childhood in the Primrose League:

"I can remember the oath:

'I being a child of the British Empire, and a member of the Junior branch of the Primrose League,promise to be loyal to my king, faithful to my God, and true to my country'

We said that at every meeting. I used to go to the children's afternoons,the socials and dances.

My mother always went to the general meetings. But she wasn't very political. You know, we'd deliver leaflets at election times and such like, but she wouldn't stand on a platform or anything like that, she wouldn't get heated about anything.

Our district warden was a Mrs Sayers, an ex school teacher, of the old school, she was into all the political activities of the Broad Green Ward of the Conservative Party and that's how she got so many people round here to join. Even neighbours who were Labour, she got their children to go - my father never approved of that! - and she was quite a big supporter and she lived it."

Getting women into politics

The Primrose League was set upby the Conservative party in 1883.It brought party politicsinto homes and communities.From dances and fairs to leaflets and speeches.Vera's story shows that politics and funcould get mixed up.

The League involved women in politicsin a limited way.Women campaigned for more.From 1918 women over 21 were able to vote in electionsfor the first time.The Primrose League stayed strong for many years afterwards.

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